GSA Momentum Discussions

Risk-Based Strategies for Referrals to Community Services for Older Adults with Dementia and their Care Partners

A person living with dementia and their care partner often have needs for a variety of community supports that enables them to achieve their greatest potential function and quality of life. This podcast episode addresses the fourth step of the KAER Framework: Refer for Community Services. Our guests discuss how interdisciplinary care teams in primary care can use risk-based strategies to refer older adults with dementia and their care partners to appropriate community services, and they share strategies for success that they and their interdisciplinary colleagues use in the Emory Integrated Memory Care Clinic – a nurse-led primary care practice for people living with dementia. 

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Guests: 
Carolyn K. Clevenger, DNP, GNP-BC, FAANP, FGSA, FAAN
Professor, The Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing at Emory University
Clinical Director/Practicing Nurse Practitioner, The Emory Integrated Memory Care Clinic
Laura Medders, LCSW 
Administrative Director, The Emory Integrated Memory Care Clinic

Host:
Jennifer Pettis, MS, RN, CNE
Director of Strategic Alliances, The Gerontological Society of America 

This podcast episode is supported by Eisai, Genentech, Lilly, and Otsuka. 

Reimbursement as a Pathway for Quality Dementia Care

GSA developed this podcast and the associated Additional Handout: Podcast Discussion Points in December 2022. It is important to note that payment policies change often and vary by payor, and listeners should seek payor-specific guidance around billing for services. 

Appropriate reimbursement for detection, evaluation, and diagnosis of dementia as well as for care planning and ongoing care of individuals with cognitive impairment and dementia is possible. In fact, pathways to appropriate reimbursement well align with evidence-based guidelines for care and expectations around quality. To ensure well-coordinated quality dementia care, the primary provider and other members of the interdisciplinary care team spend a great deal of time outside the standard primary care visit, and reimbursement for this time is available. In this podcast, our guests share their insights into the documentation, infrastructure, and processes necessary to capture appropriate reimbursement for quality dementia care. They also discuss how using reimbursement as a pathway for quality dementia care supports high-functioning teams, incentivizes care teams to provide care that aligns with guidelines, and prevents the vital work of the entire interdisciplinary team from being invisible.  

Handout: Podcast Discussion Points

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Guests: 
Carolyn K. Clevenger, DNP, GNP-BC, FAANP, FGSA, FAAN
Professor, The Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing at Emory University
Clinical Director/Practicing Nurse Practitioner, The Emory Integrated Memory Care Clinic
Laura Medders, LCSW 
Administrative Director, The Emory Integrated Memory Care Clinic

Host:
Jennifer Pettis, MS, RN, CNE
Director of Strategic Alliances, The Gerontological Society of America 

This podcast episode is supported by Eisai, Genentech, Lilly, and Otsuka. 

Culturally Congruent Care for Hispanic Older Adults with Obesity

It is vital that health care professionals supporting older adults on their weight loss journey recognize the importance of cultural differences as well as differences in risk based on age, race, or ethnicity. Cultural preferences and views about larger body sizes should also be respected. In this podcast episode, Dr. Rodolfo Galindo, an expert review panelist of the GSA KAER Toolkit on the Management of Obesity in Older Adults, highlights unique cultural beliefs and practices that are prevalent among individuals from the Hispanic community and discusses how providers must recognize and factor them into conversations about weight and obesity. He also notes how providers may provide culturally congruent care while using the GSA KAER Framework to kickstart the discussion of weight with older adults and their families; assess for the presence of altered body fat amount, distribution, and/ or function; evaluate treatment options; and refer patients to community resources. 

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Guest: Rodolfo J. Galindo, MD
Associate Professor of Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine
Investigator, Center for Diabetes and Metabolism Research, Emory University Hospital Midtown

Host: Jennifer Pettis, MS, RN, CNE
Director of Strategic Alliances, The Gerontological Society of America 

This podcast episode is supported by Novo Nordisk. Content was developed by The Gerontological Society of America (GSA). 

Nutritional Needs of Older Adults with Obesity

We all experience normal physiological and metabolic changes as we age, including loss of muscle mass, that can impact functioning and quality of life. When combined with obesity or overweight, these changes can be magnified, causing even greater functional losses and decreases in quality of life. An all-too-often approach of simply limiting caloric intake to lose weight may further heighten these risks. As such, older adults seeking to lose weight need a balanced diet that will support loss of excess adiposity while preserving muscle. As vital members of the patient care team, dietitians can support older adults seeking to lose weight to ensure that their nutrient needs are met while on their weight loss journey. Additionally, these professionals can support the older adult to address social, environmental, and economic risk factors that often go unrecognized yet play an enormous role in healthy dietary patterns. In this podcast episode, Dr. Kathryn N. Porter Starr, an expert review panelist of the GSA KAER Toolkit on the Management of Obesity in Older Adults, explores complex issues around dietary needs of older adults, including the importance of assessing for and addressing sarcopenia, and highlights how comprehensive nutritional care can support function, independence, and quality of life while enabling the older adult to reach and maintain their desired body weight.  

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Guest: Kathryn N. Porter Starr, PhD, MS, RDN 
Assistant Professor of Medicine–Geriatrics, Duke University School of Medicine 
Research Health Scientist, Durham VA Health System, Durham, North Carolina 

Host: Jennifer Pettis, MS, RN, CNE
Director of Strategic Alliances, The Gerontological Society of America 

This podcast episode is supported by Novo Nordisk. Content was developed by The Gerontological Society of America (GSA).

Cellular Aging and the Care of Older Patients

Researchers have identified several molecular pathways at a cellular level, including within the mitochondria, which appear to influence both aging and age-related chronic disease. These cellular changes associated with aging are cumulatively referred to as age-associated cellular decline, or AACD. Identifying AACD risk factors and intervening with cellular nutrients earlier in the aging process, before major mobility disabilities and disease driven limitations emerge, could help improve overall healthy aging.  A set of three podcast discussions from the panel of the What’s Hot on Cellular Nutrition and Its Influence on Age-Associated Cellular Decline, explores various elements of AACD and the care of older adults. This episode explores how to apply what is currently known about AACD to the care of patients and older adults in clinical practice.

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Guest: Nathan K. LeBrasseur, PT, PhD
Professor and Co-Chair of Research, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Mayo Clinic
Scientific Director, Office of Translation to Practice, Mayo Clinic 
Co-Director, Paul F. Glenn Center for Biology of Aging Research, Mayo Clinic 

Host: Roger A. Fielding, PhD
Associate Director, Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging, Tufts University
Lead Scientist and Senior Scientist Nutrition, Exercise Physiology, and Sarcopenia Team, Tufts University
Professor of Nutrition Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy, Tufts University
Professor of Medicine, Tufts University School of Medicine
Associate Director, Boston Claude D. Pepper Older Americans Independence Center

This podcast series was developed by The Gerontological Society of America (GSA).  This program has received a grant from Nestle Health Science. 

Mitochondria and Aging

Researchers have identified several molecular pathways at a cellular level, including within the mitochondria, which appear to influence both aging and age-related chronic disease. These cellular changes associated with aging are cumulatively referred to as age-associated cellular decline, or AACD. Identifying AACD risk factors and intervening with cellular nutrients earlier in the aging process, before major mobility disabilities and disease driven limitations emerge, could help improve overall healthy aging.  A set of three podcast discussions from the panel of the What’s Hot on Cellular Nutrition and Its Influence on Age-Associated Cellular Decline, explores various elements of AACD and the care of older adults. This episode focuses specifically on what researchers are learning about the importance of mitochondrial function.

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Guest: Anthony J. A. Molina, PhD
Vice Chief of Research, Division of Geriatrics, Gerontology, and Palliative Care, University of California San Diego School of Medicine 
Associate Professor, Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego School of Medicine 

Host: Roger A. Fielding, PhD
Associate Director, Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging, Tufts University
Lead Scientist and Senior Scientist Nutrition, Exercise Physiology, and Sarcopenia Team, Tufts University
Professor of Nutrition Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy, Tufts University
Professor of Medicine, Tufts University School of Medicine
Associate Director, Boston Claude D. Pepper Older Americans Independence Center

This podcast series was developed by The Gerontological Society of America (GSA).  This program has received a grant from Nestle Health Science. 

Nutrition and Cellular Aging

Researchers have identified several molecular pathways at a cellular level, including within the mitochondria, which appear to influence both aging and age-related chronic disease. These cellular changes associated with aging are cumulatively referred to as age-associated cellular decline, or AACD. Identifying AACD risk factors and intervening with cellular nutrients earlier in the aging process, before major mobility disabilities and disease driven limitations emerge, could help improve overall healthy aging.  A set of three podcast discussions from the panel of the What’s Hot on Cellular Nutrition and Its Influence on Age-Associated Cellular Decline, explores various elements of AACD and the care of older adults. This episode focuses on the nutritional interventions that have the potential to extend human health span, as well as those that may slow age associated cellular decision and may impact longevity. 

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Guest: Sai Krupa Das, PhD
Scientist I, Energy Metabolism Team
Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging
Associate Professor, Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy, Tufts University

Host: Roger A. Fielding, PhD
Associate Director, Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging, Tufts University
Lead Scientist and Senior Scientist Nutrition, Exercise Physiology, and Sarcopenia Team, Tufts University
Professor of Nutrition Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy, Tufts University
Professor of Medicine, Tufts University School of Medicine
Associate Director, Boston Claude D. Pepper Older Americans Independence Center

This podcast series was developed by The Gerontological Society of America (GSA).  This program has received a grant from Nestle Health Science. 

Successful Conversations with Older Adults about Sleep Disturbances

This episode addresses the need for effective communication with older adults who have sleep disturbances.  As a condition that is underdiagnosed and undertreated, it is important to understand how to address this issue with older people to ensure that the right treatments are provided, and that health and well-being are attained.

Guest:  Michael V. Vitiello, PhD
Professor of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle

Host: Elizabeth Galik, PhD, CRNP, FAAN, FAANP
Professor, Chair of the Department of Organizational Systems and Adult Health, University of Maryland School of Nursing; Past President of the Gerontological Advanced Practice Nurses Association (GAPNA)

This podcast episode was designed by The Gerontological Society of America (GSA) along with our clinical partner, the Gerontological Advanced Practice Nurses Association. The program has received an educational grant from Eisai Pharmaceuticals.

Understanding the Vaccine Development Process

The process of bringing a vaccine to market takes extensive research and safety monitoring. Dr. Gordon Douglas explains the steps from preclinical studies to vaccine licensure, and discusses his own experience developing vaccines at a major manufacturer for 30 years. He also shares lessons learned from clinical trials during the COVID-19 pandemic, including the importance of participant diversity.  

 Guest: R. Gordon Douglas, Jr, MD 
Professor Emeritus, Weill Cornell Medical College  

Host: Jo-Ana Chase, PhD, APRN-BC 
Associate Professor, Sinclair School of Nursing, University of Missouri Health 

This podcast episode is supported by Seqirus. Content was developed by The Gerontological Society of America (GSA). 

Applying Risk Communication Models to Immunization Discussions

Communicating the risks and benefits of immunization can be challenging, as the language of science may not always be well understood by the public. Dr. Aaron Scherer shares his research on risk communication and infectious disease, what we can learn from outbreak communication with older adults, and his thoughts on future opportunities in the field.  

Guest: Aaron Scherer, MA, PhD
Assistant Professor of Internal Medicine - General Internal Medicine, University of Iowa 

Host: Cheryl Ann Monturo, PhD, MBE, ACNP-BC
Senior Nurse Research Scientist Chester County Hospital/Penn Medicine; Professor of Nursing West Chester University 

This podcast episode is supported by Seqirus. Content was developed by The Gerontological Society of America (GSA).